Rabbani (album)

Rabbani (Devine) is the debut studio album by Malaysian nasheed group Rabbani. It was released on 22 May 1997 by Permata Audio and EMI Music Malaysia.^[1][2]

On 1 March 1997, Rabbani was formed by Permata Audio, a nasheed music production company based in Kuala Lumpur.^[3] The group consisted of one lead singer, six backing vocalists, and six musicians.^[4] Besides performing nasheed, most of the members were full-time employees at Permata Audio, serving in roles such as marketing, administration, event management, studio coordination, and music production.^[5] They later signed a record deal with EMI Music Malaysia.^[4][6]

Their self-titled album was recorded at Permata Studio in Kuala Lumpur and produced by Sohibul Fadil Hj. Sabikin.^[7][8] For their debut, Rabbani focused on classical nasheed, reviving traditional Islamic songs while also including original compositions by the group.^[9][10] The album featured 14 tracks and incorporated influences from Middle Eastern and Central African rhythms.^[5] Its lyrical themes centred on devotion to God and the teachings of Islam.^[5]

Group leader Asri Ibrahim stated that the group's strength lay in presenting their music live with a full band, aiming to replicate the studio sound in their performances.^[5] The album included new versions of P. Ramlee's "Alhamdulillah" and "Berkorban Apa Saja".^[11][12] Rabbani also re-recorded an earlier song from their time with Nada Murni for the album.^[13]

The album was released on 22 May 1997.^[4] It was well received upon release and sold over 30,000 copies in 2 weeks.^[5][14] As of 1998, the album sold over 90,000 copies.^[15]

Writing for The Straits Times, Junaidah Dahlan described the album as "more classical, less catchy and more serious-sounding," praising Asri Ibrahim's vocals and the group's harmonies.^[16]

Credits adapted from the album liner notes.

• Rabbani – vocals, vocal arrangement
• Asri Ibrahim – lead vocals, songwriter (tracks 7, 8, 9, 13)
• Sohibul Fadil Hj. Sabikin – music concept, arrangement, producer, songwriter (track 13)
• Mohd Arzmy – executive producers
• Nizam – arrangement, musician
• Hamzah, Omar, Zulkifli – musicians
• Hj. Akhmudi – songwriter (track 1)
• Mohd Nawawi Ibrahim – songwriter (tracks 2, 5)
• Aminuddin Sani – songwriter (track 5)
• P. Ramlee – songwriter (tracks 3, 10)
• Jamil Sulong – songwriter (track 3)
• S. Sudarmaji – songwriter (track 10)
• Haron Omar – songwriter (track 11)
• Mohd Radzi – songwriter (track 11)
• Yusuf Sabri – songwriter (track 14)
• Mohd Sofwan Abd. Rahman – songwriter (track 14)
• Mohd Asri Ubaidullah – coordinators, songwriter (tracks 8, 9)
• Azmi Ali – coordinators
• Permata Studio – recording studio
• Permata Studio technicians – recording engineers
• Shahnazron, Permata Studio technicians – mixing engineers
• Black Genesis Mastering Lab – mastering and editing
• Tapa (DEXS), Nizam (DEXS) – concept and design
• M. Naim Hj. Husain – calligraphy
• Zen – photography
• Mas Omar, Kit, Shima, Asim, Anwar – production management
• Khairyl Yassin – marketing
• Performance & Artist Management Department, Permata Audio – management

• Rabbani at Discogs